Navy Doctors from NHCL to Present Research at USAFP Symposium

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicolas Lopez | 161202-N-VQ281-002 NAVAL HOSPITAL CAMP LEJUENE (Dec. 2, 2016) Four physicians from Naval Hospital Camp Lejuene (NHCL) were selected to present their research at the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians (USAFP) symposium March 5-9, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. One Hundred thirty eight doctors submitted research and only forty were selected with 10% of those from NHCL. Pictured (Left to Right) Lt. Troy Underbrink, Lt. Joanne Gbenjo, Lt. Cmdr. Jarred Patton and Cdr. Michael Barna. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicolas Lopez/Released)  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

12.06.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicolas Lopez 

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune

Four physicians from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune (NHCL) have been selected to present their research at the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians (USAFP) research symposium in Seattle, Washington, March 5-9, 2017. One hundred thirty eight providers submitted research for this event with only forty being selected.
“Having one person in the running for this competition says a lot about the learning environment at a hospital,” said Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, Capt. James Hancock, “but having four is remarkable, and it shows the professional excellence of not only these four doctors, but to their research partners, mentors, fellow doctors, and to the staff that supported their remarkable work.”
Those selected are Lt. Troy Underbrink presenting on acupuncture medicine, Lt. Joanne Gbenjo who connected two medical conditions to a protein deficiency, Lt. Cmdr. Jared Patton presenting on an unusual shingles case and Cmdr. Michael Barna presenting on a more accurate flu shot.
Barna was selected for his research on the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. “I have always been fascinated in the global effects of diseases and how quickly they spread. This fixation allowed me to channel that interest into a better understanding of the flu,” said Barna, who was among the selected four.
“When I came to this country, I became a family medicine doctor to help people who did not have this kind of care at home,” said Gbenjo. “When we saw the condition of this woman’s lungs coupled with her multiple miscarriages, we realized that there might be a relationship or connection. That is when we started to look deeper. When you see something unusual, don’t just accept it. Find out how it fits in the big picture.”
Learn-Serve-Lead is the theme for this year’s five day event. It also affords doctors the opportunity to earn more than 25 continuing medical education credits (CMEs) learning in pain management, inpatient medicine, acupuncture, medical improvisation, and faculty development.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey B. Clark, director of healthcare operations at the Defense Health Agency, is the keynote speaker for this event. He will also present on Leadership in Military Medicine. Clark was the top surgeon for the 82nd Airborne Division after the first Gulf War, and is member of the Order of Medical Military Merit.
This annual event brings together medical providers from across the military services and is designed for the educational enhancement of family physicians focusing on new treatment modalities and practice improvement.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2016
• Date Posted: 12.06.2016 12:59
• Story ID: 216594
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US